Keyhole cover and assembly



T. H. JOHNSTONE KEYHOLE COVER AND ASSEMBLY Aug. 8, 1944.

Filed Jan. 22, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet l v :EW/V/V/UW i Ill INVENTOR \JH /wf 7 517 9 AIIIIIIIZIIHIIHVQIIIIIIIIH ATTORNEY T. H. JOHNSTONE 2,355,300

KEYHOLE COVER AND ASSEMBLY Filed Jan. 22, 1942 2 sheets-sheet 2 Aug. 8, 1944.

ATTORNEY INVENT'OR J74 2J7; n 6

Patented Aug. 8, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE KEYHOLEI COVER AND ASSEDIBLY Theodore H. J ohns tone, Detroit, Mich., assignor to The Yale & Towne Manufacturing Company, Stamford, Conn, a corporation of Connecticut Application January 22, 1942, Serial No. 427,684

6 Claims. (01. 70-455) Referring now more particularly to the drawings, a cylinder lock of the type to which my invention may be applied, is designated in Fig. 1 byreference numeral l0, and. has mounted for rotation therein a key plug H controlled by the usual tumblers l2 and drivers 13 as is well un-- cape of water of condensation from the key way.

The key hole cover of my application is so constructed, and so cooperates with a seating surface, that in actual tests it has demonstrated its adaptability to prevent the entrance of water into the key way. At the same time the general assembly of which my key hole cover is a part, facilitates the condensation and the removal of water of condensation from the key way.

A feature of my invention is the mounting of my key hole cover on a scalp which is readily assembled to a cylinder lock. In this way, the key hole cover and scalp may be manufactured in one form as a sub-assembly for mounting on any one of a series of different cylinder looks. The value of such an arrangement will be well appreciated by those skilled in the art.

A further feature of this invention is the construction of the key hole cover of the assembly whereby to facilitate its manipulation and to enhance its appearance, while at the same time yielding a relatively inexpensive device. Further features of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the description of the structure hereinafter set forth. Naturally, I consider my invention a relatively important one in this narrow art, and shall expect patent claims which will prevent the utilization of my contribution in forms other than that which I shall describe.

Referring now to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a vertical section through a cylinder lock illustrating T the construction of the key hole cover and the scalp on which it is mounted. Fig. 2 is an elevation and partial section of the invention looking forwardly at Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but showing the key hole cover to one side and exposing a key section in the key way. Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing the keyhole cover to one side and with the key inserted into the key way of thelock. Fig. 5 is' a partial section along lines 5-5 of Fig. 2. Fig. 1

6 is an exploded view of the parts of my key hole cover and the scalp on which it is mounted. Fig. 7 is an exploded view of a modification of my invention in which a centering spring is utilized.

derstood in the art. The front end of the cylinder is formed with a head 14, while the front end of the key plug is formed with a head [5 eXtend-, ing somewhat beyond the head [4. It has been customary to apply to the head M of a lock body such as cylinder H), a sheet metal scalp. This sheet metal scalp has been so formed as to lie closely against the head I 4, and has been provided with anopening through which a key may be inserted into the usual key way of the key plug. In my invention, I utilize a scalp designated generally by reference numeral l6 and best shown in perspective in Fig. 6. The scalp I6 is so formed that when it is assembled to the key plug by the folding over of the series of lugs ll of the scalp, a relatively large air space l8 remains between the head 14 of the cylinder and the scalp l6 as is well shown in the several figures. The purpose of the air space will be more partciularly described hereinafter.

The lower portion of the scalp [6 is slotted as in 19, while the cylinder head itself is slotted as at 20, whereby to leave an opening leading from the air space [8 to the atmosphere. The purpose and function of this opening, and its relation to the air space will be set forth hereinafter.

The scalp I6 is formed preferably with a sub stantially depressed portion 22 in which is an opening 23 through which is adapted to pass the key 24 as illustrated in Fig. 4, for entry into the key way 24a of the key plug ll for operating the several tumblers and drivers in the usual manner well known in the art. For covering and sealing the opening 23 to prevent the entry of moisture into the key way, I utilize a key hole cover formed by the union preferably of the two sheet metal parts 25 and 26 best shown in the exploded Fig. 6. The part 25 is formed so that its surface 21 fits about the periphery of the opening 23 at all points of the said periphery. Preferably, the surface 2'! which fits against the said periphery, is substantial in area so as to yield a relatively good seal.

The sheet metal parts 25 and 26 are formed scalloped at both sides thereof as indicated by reference numerals 28 and 29 so that the assembled key hole cover may be moved to one side, as to position of Fig. 3, by the mere application of a key to one of the scalloped portions 28 or 29. For such use of the key, the scalp itself is formed with depressed portions and 3 l to allow for the application of the key to the scalloped portions 23 and 29.

The manner in which the sheet metal parts 25 and 26 are held in assembled relation is probably best illustrated in Figs. 1 and 5. It will be noted from those figures that a 'pin 33 is assembled to the sheet metal parts 25 and 26, with a head portion 34 thereof within the assembled key hole cover and a pin portion 35 extending outwardly of the cover and through a hole 36 formed in the scalp. The pin portion 35 lies therefore within the air space l8 and is flanged at 31 for the mounting thereon of a disc 38. A spring 39, lying between the disc 38 and the inner face of the scalp l6, tends to pull the assembled key hole' cover into its position of Fig. 1, and into sealing relation to opening 23.

The key hole cover may be readily swung away from the position of Fig. 1, as is best illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, against the force of the spring 39, whereby to allow for the operation of the key 24 as shown in Fig. 4, and as has already been made. quite clear. The part 25 of the key hole cover has a struck out portion 40 defined by the surfaces 4! as best shown in Figs. 4 and 5. It also has the tapered surface 42 leading from the sealing surface 21. The struck out portion 4f] reacts with the sides of a depressed surface 413 of the scalp while surface 42 cams against the face of the scalp, whereby to assist the spring 39 in returning the key hole cover to its central position of Figs. 1 and 5. It is clear that in this position the key hole cover is maintained with its portion 21 seated against the periphery of the key hole cover opening 23 and in substantial sealing relation to that opening. In actual tests which have been made by the Chrysler Corporation the value of my construction has been clearly demonstrated.

From the description which has thus far been set forth, it is apparent that I employ a key hole cover preferably formed of two sheet metal parts assembled and mounted on a sheet metal scalp which is readily applied to any type of cylinder lock on which it may be desired to use it. It is further apparent that through suitable means .will condense on the inner surface of the scalp. It will be further apparent that any water which so condenses will be able to leave the air space 18 by merely flowing by gravity downwardly through the opening formed by the slot IS in the will return the cover to its central sealing position when the cover is released.

I believe that the operation and construction of my invention will now be quite apparent to those skilled in the art.

I now claim:

1. In a scalp adapted for assembly to a cylinder lock, means whereby said scalp is secured to said cylinder lock to form a portion thereof, a depressed portion formed on the face of said scalp in which is an opening to provide access to the keyway of the cylinder lock to which the scalp is assembled, a shutter, means mounting said shutter on said scalp for swinging movement parallel to the scalp face and for inward movement toward said depressed portion, said shutter having a substantial surface seated scalp l6 and the slot 20 of the head I4 of the of the scalp I6 It is obvious that the U spring 44 will therefore be stressed when the key hole cover is swung away from its central position and against a substantial surface of said scalp surrounding said opening whereby substantially to seal said opening, and spring means for pressing said shutter in toward said opening adapted to resist swinging movement of said shutter parallel to said scalp face.

2. .A scalp adapted for assembly to a cylinder lock and having an opening formed therein, means whereby said scalp is secured to said cylinder lock to form a portion thereof, a shutter, means mounting said shutter on said scalp for movement to expose said opening, said shutter being formed of a pair of sheet metal parts assembled to form a hollow body, and means loosely secured within said hollow body and extending outwardly therefrom for holding said shutter assembled to said scalp.

3. In a lock of the class described, a lockbody having a front head portion, a key plu having a keyway rotatable in a, bore formed in said lock body, a sheet metal scalp assembled on said head portion and having a depressed portion with an opening therein, a shutter for entering said depressed portion to cover said opening, means mounting said shutter on said scalp for lateral and also for outward movement from said de pressed portion, a spring pressing said shutter against said depressed portion to close said opening in said scalp, said shutter and scalp being formed to allow the end of a key to impinge against the shutter to move it to one side to expose said opening, and cooperating surfaces on said shutter and scalp whereby to cam said shutter into opening closing position under said spring pressure when said shutter is thereafter released for movement.

4. A scalp adapted for assembly to a cylinder lock and having an opening formed therein, a shutter mounted on said scalp and movable to expose said opening, said shutter comprising a pair of sheet metal parts assembled to form a hollow body, and a spring within said hollow shutter body having portions extending through an opening in one of said sheet metal parts and cooperating with said scalp for centering said shutter body relatively to said scalp and the said opening therein.

5. In a lock of the class described, a lock body having a front head portion, a key plug rotatable in said lock body, a scalp, means securing said scalp on said lock body to form an integral part thereof, an air space between the face of the said front head portion and the inner surface of said scalp, said scalp having a depressed opening in alignment with said key plug, the periphery of said opening being defined by an inwardly flanged surface, a shutter having a flange portion corresponding to the periphery of said opening for sealing said opening, and means mounting said shutter for pivotal and outward movement on the outside surface of said scalp whereby said shutter may move away from sealing relation to said opening and to one side of said opening.

6. In a lock of the class described, a lock body having a front head portion, a key plug rotatable in a bore formed in said lock body, said key plug having a keyway formed therein, a scalp, means whereby said scalp is assembled to said front head portion, a movable cover portion for an opening in said scalp formed in alignment with the said key plug, means mounting said cover portion on said scalp and in spaced relation to the front end of said key plug, said cover portion being movable on its mounting means to expose the keyway of said key plug, said scalp being so shaped relatively to the front end of said key plug and the front head portion of said lock body as to form an air space about the front end of said key plug to allow for the collection of condensed vapor from said keyway, and said scalp having an opening leading from said air space between it and the front end of the key plug for the escape of said condensed vapor.

THEODORE H. JOHNSTONE. 

